What in the world is going on!?
I’ve been watching…..searching….looking…..observing….and I’ve come up with one question: What in the world is going on!? Everywhere I go I hear people talking about religion, politics, taxes, jobs they hate, people they hate, the economy. When is it ever going to end? I have an idea that I really think would help the situation that our culture faces. Actually, I have a few ideas. First, stop depending on the government to set your state of mind. State of mind? Yes, state of mind. What do I mean by this? It’s simple. There are three basic economic groups in the American culture: The unbelievably wealthy that are probably the smartest in our society because they don’t allow the government to scare them so they skillfully set out each day to find new investments that will allow them to control their assets. Secondly there are the very highly paid, lower wealthy class of people. They walk around mad all the time carrying their petitions with them trying to get people to sign against the next tax bill or health care plan because they absolutely cannot stand to help someone with no questions asked yet they also get angry when someone else tries to step in and help the hopeless. In other words, this class of people desire full control of their assets but can’t find it within themselves to learn that giving is truly the art of stewarding your assets. Then there is the third class of people. This class was once called the middle class but this status has long since evaporated. This class of people are clinging to anything they can find. Minimum wage jobs are supplying the resources for their addiction of choice: clothes, jewelry, pimped out cars, entertainment, food, music, etc. This class of people work pay check to pay check, pay their bills last all so they can keep up with what ‘the experts’ say they should keep up with. The funny thing about this class is the people they are listening to concerning fashion, entertainment and technology really aren’t experts at all. No, in the day of blogs and websites there are more ‘average’ everyday people weighing in on what influences our society. Not that this is at all bad because it is actually a great thing when everyday people can have a true, impactful voice. What becomes harmful is when we begin to listen to others as if their word is total truth when in reality their word is like everyone else’s. It’s simply an observation from their perspective. One person believes that the Iphone is the best. Another would rather have an HTC. One believes that Big Star jeans are it. Another would rather wear MEK. This third class of people, in their current state of mind, will never live their life to its full purpose. Why? Because in a society that offers so many differing opinions at such a fast pace its all this class of people can do to keep up with the ever changing expectations!
I don’t believe in painting a picture without offering another. The picture we have painted in our culture is a grim one yet with opportunity for greatness around every corner. It’s similar to a fork in the road: we can choose to continue the insanity or choose to use the tools our culture has to become stronger, smarter and wiser. To do this we need solutions. We need pliable actions that will begin this shift in America. Here are my three solutions that would radically change your life and our culture. First, stop depending on government. It’s easy, it really is. Now before I go on I want to say it’s only right to abide by the laws set forth by our elected officials. In saying that I do not think at all that we should lay down and not strive for what the human race, at heart, knows is right. Which leads me to say our first solution is to stop relying on government. Government should not have to tell us what to do, how to do it and when to do it. We need a major shift in our society that will rid us of the government programs that are truly causing much economic strife. For example: if you don’t like the new health care reform bill then take some of your money and budget it so you can afford to pay for someone’s insurance. I know many, many families that don’t have health insurance. Why? THEY CAN’T AFFORD IT! So let’s take this idea further. Say John hates the health reform bill. John own a business that provides $85,000 a year salary for his family. John’s wife is a school teacher with certifications so she brings in another $53,000 annually. Combined this family brings in $138,000 a year. What if this family decided to shift their lifestyle somewhat that would allow them to truly make an impact. What if they said we are going to take $8,000 a year and help needy families. They divide that up and decide to adopt three families to help. This allows them to buy groceries for these families, put gas in their car, and pay for part of their health insurance. All of a sudden John and his wife have given a hand up to three needy families. Because of these relationship soon John learns that his company can hire part of these families to work. They can now pay these families a salary for their work. Soon John realizes the potential of these people and two of them become lead sales reps for his company. Two year later these two men are making over $100,000 a year! From welfare programs to independence! Why? All because one man decided to STOP complaining and signing petitions and decided to DO something himself. He didn’t need government and now he has actually aided the government and our economy by providing jobs and by assisting three families in getting off welfare.
Now let’s take this a step further. What if a group of 50 people such as our friend John decided to pool their money and begin a foundation. Not only would this foundation aid in helping others and our economy, it would also benefit this group by providing a small tax shelter for their assets. If John alone helped three families imagine what 50 people could do pooling their resources. But friends, we’ve stopped independently imagining. Instead we’ve depended on the government to come up with these solutions for us then we gripe and moan and complain. It’s not government’s fault, it’s ours. Stop depending on government.
Secondly, stop depending on religion. We must learn to think for ourselves. Stop depending on pastors and priests to aid you in your religious journey. Stop leaning on the ‘wise’ to teach you about the Bible. You have been given a spirit of common sense. Use it. Life isn’t difficult. We are the created. Don’t you know that when a creator creates he NEVER leaves his creation to fend for itself! Oh how much more does the God of the universe yearn for intimacy with you. You don’t need church. You don’t need self help books. You don’t need doctrine. All you need is intimacy. Everything else will fall into place. Religion has done a great job at ruining the true picture of God. Religion has done a tremendous act of failure in helping people understand what life is truly about. I was driving with my kids the other day and we came to a corner where there were literally five churches at ONE corner! My son says, ‘Dad! Five churches. Really?’ Honestly, when I hear my eleven year old son make this observation……..it shames me. Can we not see the confusion we have cause? We preach unity and about this god that is supposed to forgive us and help us yet we can’t even live or worship together. I’m sick of it. You’re sick of it. Most of all….don’t be surprised when one day we find out that HE is sick of it.
The third solution is simple: common sense. We need a huge shot of common sense in our society. Do yourself a favor: journal every single move you make, places you go, things you eat, buy and do for one day. Just one day. Then go to a room by yourself and read it out loud. You will laugh, then cry at how idiotic our lifestyles are. Today: Ate three deep fried burritos, drank 72 ounces of cola and sat in my office for five hours working on the site. Funny? Yes. Sadly that is just half of a day in the life of millions. Yet we wonder why we’re stressed, fat and in terrible condition. I know….we have stopped using common sense.
It’s not difficult friends…..let’s stop making it that way.
